OK, some solutions for individuals. But I had in mind deed covenants, such as are used in Reston, VA and Columbia, MD. Both are planned communities, and when one moves in, one agrees to live within the HOA rules. If you paint your house an unapproved color, the HOA fines you and forces you to repaint. If you put up an unapproved bird feeder, same thing. I'd bet if you opened a brothel or a fertilizer factory the HOA would really get bent out of shape. All of it is perfectly acceptable because the HOA's are private organizations which folks join voluntarily. Just to clarify, neither Reston or Columbia have any gov't powers, it's all done within civil law. Reston residents live under the Fairfax County, VA gov't, and Columbians are in Howard County, MD.
Barb |
